Camping with a Toddler

We have camped a bunch of times with our now 3 1/2 year old and he absolutely loves it. The first year we went he was 10 months old and starting to walk which was a little difficult given all of the dirt and no flat surfaces but I think it helped him learn faster. I brought, which I found really helpful was our screen house where I laid down a thick blanket and his toys and I also put his pack and play in there and that was where he napped. That was his own little play area and also a safe place to nap while we were outside where I could see him (you could probably do a pack and play inside the tent as well if your tent is big enough). Other than that we stayed pretty busy, swimming , playing in the sand at the beach and going for walks. We also went for a hike with him in the backpack carrier.
Hope this helps! Good luck and have fun!

Hi~ We camped with my now 4 yr old every summer. We never used a playpen, but did try to bring an extra adult with us (my mom), which helped make the whole experience much more laid back for all. Here's what we found helpful:

* Kid friendly versions of the adult camping stuff - we made his own camping kit with a small orange plastic shovel, an old mess kit, his own flashlights, a few tent stakes, rope, a spatula, plastic binoculars, etc. He spent a lot of time mimicking whatever interesting adult behavior he watched ~ cooked on a'fire' made of piles of sticks, hammered tent stakes into the ground, etc.
* Lots & lots of extra clothes, so we never had to worry about him geting dirty or wet.
* Books, a few crayons & stuffed animals for tent games. One rainy day we just cleaned anything dangerous out of the car & he spent 2 hours climbing all over our station wagon & pretending to drive.
* Baby backpack or Ergo. Absolutely required for hiking.
* We diligently taught fire safety. Repeat, repeat, repeat: "The fire is hot. Not near the fire". Now we can have a fire & really not worry at all. We did the same with campground roads & the boundaries of our space.

Until last year we put our boy in the sleeping bag between us, now he has his own bag & little sleep pad. In the sumer we try to camp near a river or lake - instant entertainment. Also helpful--be sure to bring natural/kid friendly bug stuff & sunblock. Camp hammocks (a giant swing!)& child sized chairs are also awesome, as are harmonicas & guitars if you're musical. Enjoy!

My now 3 y.o. started camping at 4 months and we continue to love the family time. 14 months is young enough that you will probably want some staples around the camp for him to entertain himself with, although don't under estimate the thrills of a bucket of water and "rock soup". We've learned that the experience is pretty entertaining itself. Bring plenty of clothes - (play clothes that can get pretty much destroyed and let him get dirty!)And really just be prepared to play. The lounging around fun of camping with out children doesn't really exist. They want to be on the move and it's a good time. Do have some favorite "tent" toys, so you can zip him in if you need to and camp somewhere that will provide car trip fun if it rains. Also, we got a tent light after our first trip, b/c a flashlight didn't cut it and when you want the tent lit - you want it lit. We also got her her own little chair - which helped with meal time and fire pit time.
Also, check your site for poison ivy and general child safety concerns before setting up. SOmetimes it's worth the sacrifice of taking a less desirable site over chasing them away from a certain area all weekend.

Have a wonderful summer!

We brought our kids camping from the time they were babies, too. It's been a while, but I remember that having a red wagon to pull was very helpful. Not only did it allow us to bring all of the beach stuff to the beach, and get ice/wood from the store, but my son loved to "help" pull it and, if he got tired, we could put him in it!

We also had a separate bin that they could bring with toys - so that they could have familiar toys for down time.

Of course, having juice boxes and snacks handy will be helpful.

Good luck and have fun!!!!

Hello,
I highly recommend bringing along some brand new toys for diversions and a superyard XL play area. The play area folds up for moving around and is a pretty large area. You'll find this helpful when you can't be right on top of him. He might not love it- but it's better than a lost child or a hurt child.
Good luck,
S.

Hi! I too have a toddler and some advice for you with your little one, and how to make your camping experience more pleasurable... Make a list of what you should bring. First thing is a portable crib for to sleep in, a couple of his/hers favorite toys, stuffed animals and a couple of warm winter type blankets! Some winter pj's and clothes that you don't mind him/her getting real dirty. If you don't have a portable play yard get one! They are great to have and they take about ten minutes to set up. He/she will be quite content playing in side the play yard with some of his/hers favorite toys!!! And takes away from you having to chase the little ones all over the place and it keeps theme safe, so you can actually relax and enjoy yourself more, everyone is happy...having a play yard is one of the best investments i have ever made as a parent. I have 4 kids and 3 of them are boys, it definetlly has made my life a lot easier having one... I wish you lots of luck with your little one camping. If there is anything else i can help you with let me know. I have been camping all my life and i am always looking for new ways of having a better camping experience!!! Take care S.

Hi C.,
Last year we went camping with my then 1 yr old and he did fine. One thing I brought with us was one of those gates that shapes into a circle so you can put them in the middle of it. I put a blanket down in the middle with some toys. This was really helpful when I needed to get something done and couldn't keep running after him like cleaning up after eating, etc...
He slept in a pack n play at night which worked out good.
Also we brought one of those seats that clamp to the end of a picnic table (our friend had given us) and that was nice because you could buckle him in just like a high chair.
Hope that helps. Have fun camping!!!

Hi
I've been camping with my kids since they were infants. The most important thing I can warn you about is water hazards. Watch your child closely if you camp near streams, ponds, lakes, or pools.

I also suggest a portable crib for sleeping/napping and the times you need him to stay put. (cooking/cleanup times)

I would definitely bring one big rubber ball but other than that don't worry about bringing toys because he will be so busy exploring.

You could also try to have him build houses for bugs using small rocks and twigs.

Take short hikes or you'll have to carry him.

Be very careful around the campfire. Don't expect him to be able to roast a marshmellow or even like them (my kids didn't)

Be safe and have fun!!!

I am sorry I do not have any advice but I am also tent camping a lot this summer with my 7 month old and was looking for the same type of advice! I am looking forward to what others have to say! Thanks!

Hi C.,

We have been tent camping with my son since he was just an infant, now 4 years old. This year will be the first time camping for my 9 month old daughter. I recommend bringing a pack and play (or something similar) for nap and bedtimes. It also comes in handy for clean-up and food prep. time. I also recommend bringing a cheap stroller (an expensive one will get dirty) for the times you are sitting around the campfire, need to walk to the bathroom, etc. These 2 things are my life-saver when camping!!

Have fun!!

I have done lots of camping over the years, it's great i love being in the great outdoors. my suggestion is that you do a trial run. you and your toddler could camp out in your back yard for a night. if you can't use your yard maybe a friend or a relatives. pack up some things you'll need, mostly necessities. take a notebook and a pen, when you think of someting you could use or that would help or even something that would be fun write it down. this way you would be well prepared. good luck and have fun!